Kit Review

Straight build

Size comparison with a cigarette pack

Upper body

Head

Solid, no-frills arms.

The Gouf Custom just isn't complete without the gatling shield!
Came out nearly as good as the MG.

Back section

Legs

HGUC Gouf Custom - Articulation. The Gouf's signature skirt armor limits how far the hip joints can swing forward, which is a

Articulation.
The Gouf's signature skirt armor limits how far the hip joints can swing forward, which is a bit of a shame.

Shoulder forward/backward range of motion

Includes 2 sets of fists and weapon-holding hands, plus 1 open hand.

HGUC Gouf Custom - Gatling shield action. It's pretty bulky, but the shoulder joints hold up just fine. (1/4)

HGUC Gouf Custom - Gatling shield action. It's pretty bulky, but the shoulder joints hold up just fine. (2/4)

Gatling shield action.
It's pretty bulky, but the shoulder joints hold up just fine.

HGUC Gouf Custom - Triple-barrel 35mm gatling action (1/3)

Triple-barrel 35mm gatling action

HGUC Gouf Custom - Heat saber action (1/4)

HGUC Gouf Custom - Heat saber action (2/4)

Heat saber action

HGUC Gouf Custom - A wire cord is also included to recreate the heat rod action. (1/4)

HGUC Gouf Custom - A wire cord is also included to recreate the heat rod action. (2/4)

A wire cord is also included to recreate the heat rod action.

HGUC Gouf Custom - Alongside the MG Gouf Custom. The MG was a pretty decent kit in its day, but there's no denying that the n

Alongside the MG Gouf Custom.
The MG was a pretty decent kit in its day, but..
There's no denying that the new HGUC Gouf Custom just feels cleaner overall.

HGUC Gouf Custom - Alongside the original HGUC Gouf. There's a whopping 10-year gap between these two kits, and the old HGUC

Alongside the original HGUC Gouf.
There's a whopping 10-year gap between these two kits, but the old HGUC Gouf still holds up pretty well.
But overall quality-wise, the new HGUC Gouf Custom wins hands down. -_-b

The HGUC Gouf Custom shares a very similar overall construction with the recently released HGUC Zaku F2.

Straight build

When you think about it, a Gouf Custom that should've come out ages ago has finally arrived. It took a full 10 years and a few extra months after the HGUC Gouf was released. Sure, the Gouf and Gouf Custom are different enough in shape that there aren't many interchangeable parts between them, but still — almost every other mobile suit from the 08th MS Team had already come out while this one stayed completely off the radar.

As is usually the case with kits that come out late, the latest technology is baked right in and the quality is super crisp. The overall kit construction is very similar to its predecessor, the Zaku F2 — solid articulation, flexible ankles, and joint strength that's more than sturdy enough. The one issue is that the Gouf's signature front skirt limits the hip joint's forward range of motion, but that's a problem that even the MG line didn't manage to solve until the Gouf 2.0, so expecting the HGUC to fix it was probably asking a bit much..

The overall proportions are nice enough to rival — or even surpass — the MG Gouf Custom, and the detail stays true to HGUC standards while fully capturing the Gouf Custom's look. The Gouf Custom's signature oversized gatling shield in particular is on par with the MG version — the combine/separate functionality and the detail level are practically MG-grade.

The front skirt does limit the hip angle, so pulling off really dynamic poses is a bit tricky, but when you actually try posing it, you'd be surprised how good it looks. It feels less like a win for articulation and more like a win for proportions, if that makes sense.

Either way, coming out late has its perks — quality-wise, this HGUC Gouf Custom is just about flawless, and incredibly clean. It's a kit that had a lot of fans hyped up, and it more than delivers on those expectations. This is one of those HGUC gems you can buy without a second thought and never regret. :-)

HGUC Gouf Custom | 2010.11 | ¥1,800

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.